Time reminder clock



Feb. 2, 1943. P. H. HENRIKSON 2,309,844

TIME REMINDER CLOCK Filed Aug. 11, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 60 P5 752 h E/VQ/K HENQ/KSON fi filw M ATT FIQNEYS Patented Feb. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT orifice 'rms REMINDER 01 001:

Peter Henrik Henrikson, Los Angeles, Calif. Application August 11, 1941, Serial No. 406,248

14 Claims.

' This invention relates to time controlled annunciators of the general character embodied in my U. S. Patent No. 2,024,857, issued December 17, 1935, and wherein is disclosed and claimed, a means which may be combined with the time and alarm mechanisms of an alarm clock in a manner to cause the alarm to sound at a predetermined time or times in accordance with the use to which the-annunciator is applied.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device of the above described character which not only functions as a time reminding annunciator, but which also indicates the time on a single dial, which latter embodies a novel construction and mounting of selectively settable predetermining elements with which co-acts, a novel control mechanism for tripping or releasing the alarm mechanism, all to the end of providing a simplified construction capable of being readily associated with the mechanism of an alarm clock at a reasonable cost.

Another object of this invention is to provide a time reminder clock in which the aforestated control mechanism is capable of being inexpensively constructed in quantity, and is very accurate and absolutely dependable in its response to selected settings of the predetermining elements, so as to release the alarm mechanism exactly in accordance with the corresponding time indicated on the dial of the clock, all without imposing any appreciable load upon the clock mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control mechanism as aforestated, with which a novel center wheel arbor construction is associated in a manner to automatically compensate for any misalignment of its arbor and the co-axially related hour hand arbor of the control mechanism which is so mounted and arranged as to accurately centered with respect to the dial, whereby to insure absolutely accurate relationship of the mechanism to the predetermining elements both radially and circumferentially in all positions of the mechanism around the dial.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the combinations, arrangements and functional relationships of elements as set forth in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

, In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view of the time reminder clock in front elevation,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragm ntary transverse sectional view of the annunciator.

illustratin the normal position of the control mechanism during operation of the clock with the alarm mechanism of the clock inactive,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, an illustrating the alarm tripping or releasing position of the control mechanism,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view'taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figures 6 and 7 are enlarged detail sectional views taken on the lines H and |1 respectively, of Figure 5,

Figures 8 and 9 are *fragmentary sectional views taken on the lines 2-8 and 99 respectively, of Figure 5.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the invention in its illustrated embodiment, is shown associated with a conventional form of alarm clock mechanism designated generally at M and including the usual front and rear frame plates i0 and II respectively, rigidly secured together for co-action in. supporting the working parts of the mechanism. The front plate I0 is rigidly secured by screws i2 and spacer studs i2a to a head plate It at the rear of the latter; and the head plate has rigidly secured at the front thereof by screws I4 and spacer studs IS, a time dial ii. A suitable case encloses the mechanism and has an inturned stop flange l8 bearing ainst the front of the dial I6 and concealin the screws H.

The clock mechanism includes the usual center wheel 20 (Figure 2), having a frictional driving connection 2| by which the wheel is mounted on its arbor 22 journaled in the frame plates HI and II. The arbor 22 receives the center wheel shaft 23 which has a force fit in the rear portion 24 of the bore of the arbor and passes freely through the head plate I! and dial [8 to receive the usual minute hand 26 for co-action with the graduations of the dial. The freedom of the shaft 23 in the portion 25 of the arbor 22 permits the shaft to flex readily in any direction radially of the arbor for a purpose to be later described.

Fixed to the arbor 22 immediately in front of the frame plate II is a gear 30 forming part of a gear train driving the hour arbor 3| journaled in the dial l8 and in a frame plate 32 which is rigidly supported from the head plate l3 between the latter and frame plate I! by screws 33 and spacer studs 24 (Figures 2 and 4). The gear train, of which the gear 30 forms a part, provides the usual twelve to one'ratio between the arbors 22 and 3| and includes a gear 35 constantly meshing with the gear 30; a pinion gear 36 fixed to the gear 35 co-axially thereof so as to rotate therewith on an axle 31 on the frame plate l; and an hour wheel 38 constantly meshing with the gear 35 and fixed on the hour arbor 3| so as to drive the latter at one-twelfth the speed of the center wheel arbor 22.

The usual hour hand 50 is fixed to the outer end of the arbor 3|; and it will be noted that the center wheel shaft 23 passes freely through the bore of the arbor 3| and is journaled only at the outer end of the latter in a bearing 4| driven into the arbor 3|. Thus, it will be clear that should there be any misalignment or non-centered condition between the axes of the arbors 22 and 3|, the shaft 23 will be free to fiex between the bearing 4| and the bore portion 24 of the arbor 22 so as to prevent any binding action which might adversely afiect operation of the clock mechanism or of a control mechanism C forming a part of the present invention, and operable to release the alarm mechanism of the clock in accordance with the settings of predetermining elements P on the dial l6.

With the exception of a latching element or disk 50, with the peripheral edge of which a rockably mounted alarm releasing arm coacts, the present invention is not concerned with the details of the automatic mechanism such as described and claimed in my U. S. Patent No. 2,024,857, for controlling the duration of operation and resetting of the alarm mechanism. Any suitable mechanism such as that disclosed in my patent above referred to can be employed in conjunction with the control mechanism C, except that the latching disk 50 and releasing arm 5| are employed in lieu of similarly functioning parts in the above mentioned patent. It will suflice for the present invention, to state that the outer end of the releasing arm 5| normally rides upon the peripheral edge of the latching disk 50 as shown in Figures 2 and 5, to maintain the alarm mechanism inactive, and that upon axial shifting of the disk 50 in a manner to be later described, the arm 5| is released to trip the alarm mechanism and render same active.

The latching disk 50 is slidably mounted on the hour arbor 3| for movement axially thereof to occupy the latching and releasing positions shown in Figures 2 and 3 respectively. The disk 50 is normally urged to latching position by a coil spring 55 surrounding the arbor 3| and having one end abutting a radial shoulder on a clutch collar 56 fixed to the disk. The other end of the spring 55 is centered on a collar 51 projecting from a bracket 58 which the spring abuts as shown in Figure 2. The bracket 55 is rigidly supported by a stud 59 passing through an opening in the disk 50 and projecting from the hour wheel 38.

Mounted freely on a pair of other studs 60 projecting from the hour wheel 38 and adapted to abut stop shoulders 5| on the studs, is a fulcrum-forming yoke member 62 having pins 63 which ride against the outer fiat face of the head plate |3 during rotation of the hour arbor 3|. A power transferring member is freely mounted on the outer reduced portions 1| of the studs 60 and is yieldingly urged by a flat spring 12 on the bracket 58 onto intermediate tapered portions 13 of the studs, so as to prevent any lateral play and yet permit rocking movement of the member I0 on the studs towards and away from the rear face of the dial l5.

Operatively connecting the power transferring member Hi and the latching disk 50 is a shifting member or yoke freely pivoted at one end from a headed stud "a on the member 10, and having lugs 8| on its branches 82 working in an annular groove 83 of the clutch collar 56. The branches 82 straddle the member 62, and a floating fulcrum is formed on the latter by the connecting portion 84-01 the shifting member ll engaging the member 62 at 35 as shown in Figure 2.

A headed stop pin 86 projecting from the hour wheel 38 and passing freely through the disk I. limits the movement of the power transferring member H! in the direction towards the dial II as also shown in Figure 2, and definitely establishes the position of the member 10 to respond.

to any one or more of the predetermining elements P which has been adjusted or set to the active position shown in Figure 3. Secured to the side of the member Ill confronting the dial I6 are two cam lugs 30 and 9| staggered and in overlapped relation radially of the member as shown in Figure I, for direct engagement by any of those predetermining elements P which occupies an active position. The radial position of the lugs 90 and SI with respect to two concentric circles or markings 82 and 83 on the face of the dial I6 is such when an element P is adjusted on the dial to a position between the markings, the element will be disposed in the path of rotation of both lugs. When the element P is adjusted to the inner side of the marking 92, only the inner lug so will respond, whereas when the element is adjusted to the outer side oi the marking 93, only the outer lug ll will respond.

For the purpose of mounting the elements P for adjustment to occupy their three active positions, and also an inactive position spaced inwardly from the marking 92 so as to be clear of the paths of rotation of both the lugs 90 and 9|, the dial I6 is provided with slots I00 extending to its periphery and radially at the hour and half hour locations on the dial, each element having grooves |0| leaving a diametric web Ill slidably received in one of the slots I30 as shown in Figure '7. In proximity to each slot I", the dial is provided with a parallel channel I" receiving a wire spring I anchored against longitudinal displacement from the slot by having its right angularly bent end I05 entering an opening I06 in the dial as shown in Figure 6. The resiliency of each spring is such that the spring bears against the grooved portion of the respective element as indicated in Figure 7 and sets up sufficient friction to maintain the element in the position to which it is adjusted.

In the present instance, twenty-four of the elements P are shown, and each functions in coaction with the lug 90 and/or 9| so that the alarm mechanism can be rendered active to sound an alarm (l) on any hour, (2) fifteen minutes past the hour, (3) thirty minutes past the hour, and (4) forty-five minutes past the hour. However, it will be understood that other arrangements of the elements P can be made to suit various requirements.

In operation, let it be assumed that the parts occupy the position shown in Figure 2 in which the alarm mechanism is latched by the disk 50 and arm 5|. When the hour hand 40 shall have moved to a position indicating twelve-thirty o'clock, the lug 90 will engage and ride over that element P between the hours of twelve and one, which has been adjusted to the active position shown in Figure 1. v

The power transferring member 10 will now rock the shifting member 80 about its fulcrum on the member 62 so as to shift the disk 50 to one side of the arm i. This arm is now free to move behind the disk 50 as shown in Figure 4, to thereby trip the alarm mechanism.

It will be understood that when the alarm has sounded for a predetermined interval, the arm II will be automatically restored to its latching position shown in Figures 2 and 5 for latching co-action with the disk 50 when the latter is restored to its latching position by the spring 55, upon the lug 90 clearing the aforesaid element P. In accordance with the adjustment of that element P between the hours of one and'two oclock, the lugs 90 and ill will both function, with the result of tripping the alarm mechanism at onethirty oclock and again at one-forty-five o'clock.

By the provision of the control mechanism and center wheel structures above described, absolute accuracy and dependability in annunciating will be obtained, and the cost of the product materially reduced due to the adaptability-of the parts to standard practice in interchangeable quantity manufacturing, and ease of sub-assembling as well as final assembling in conjunction with alarm clock mechanisms, all with the added advantage of providing a clock telling time by co-action of the hands 40 and 26 on a single dial.

I claim:

1. In an annunciator of the class described, a dial having predetermining elements selectively athustably to occupy active positions; an arbor having a hand co-acting with the dial; a latching disk having a peripheral surface defining a track for co-action with an alarm tripping member; means mounting said disk on said arbor for rotation therewith and movement axially thereon to occupy a latching position wherein said member rides upon the periphery of the disk, or a releasing position wherein said member is free of the periphery; means rotatable with said arbor and co-actable with said predetermining elements when occupying their active positions, and with said disk to move the latter to releasing positions; and means for restoring said disk to latching position following a releasing operation.v

2. In an annunciator of the class described, a dial having predetermining elements selectively I adjustable to occupy active positions; an arbor having a hand-co-acting with the dial; a latching disk adapted for co-action with an alarm tripping member; means mounting said disk on said arbor for rotation therewith and movement axially thereon to occupy latching and releasing positions with respect to said member; a power transferring member; means mounting said power transferring member for rocking movement parallel to the axial plane of said arbor and for rotation therewith; the power transferring member having means co-actable with said predetermining elements when adjusted to an active position, to rock the power transferring member to one extreme position; means co-acting with the power transferring member and with said disk to shift the latter to its releasing position; and means for restoring said disk to latching position following a releasing operation.

3. In an annunciator of the class described, a dial having predetermining elements selectively adjustable to occupy active positions; an arbor power transferring member to one extreme position; a shifting member, one end of the shifting member being operatively connected to the power transferring member; a clutch collar carried by said disk, with which the other end of said shifting member co-acts; a fulcrum forming member with which said shifting member co-acts intermediate its ends to form a fulcrum for the latter; and means for effecting rotation of the fulcrum forming member with the power transferring and shifting. members asa unit for co action in response to the aforesaid rocking, movement imparted to the power transferring 'member, to move said disk to releasing position; and means for restoring said disk to latching position following a releasing operation.

4. In an annunciator of the class described, a

dial having a set of predetermining elements selectively adjustable to occupy active positions; an arbor having a hand co-acting withsaid dial; a latching element having a peripheral surface upon which an alarm tripping member rides to maintain the latter against tripping during rotation of the latching element; means mounting the latching element on said arbor for rotation therewith and movement axially thereonto occupy latching and releasing positions with respect to the alarm tripping member; and means operable by said predetermining elements when in active position, to shift the latching element to releasing position to free the alarm tripping member from the periphery of the latching element in accordance with a'preselected time indicated on the dial by said hand.

5. In an annunciator of the class described, a

dial having a set of predetermining elements se-.

lectively adjustable to occupy active positions; an arbor having a hand co-acting with said dial; a latching element mounted on said arbor to rotate therewith and to shift axially thereof; means urging the latching element to latching position with respect to an alarm tripping member; means co-acting with said predetermining elements when occupying active position, and including a clutch mechanism operatively connected to the latching element; and means co-actable with said clutch mechanism and with any of said predetermining elements occupying active position, to shift said element to a releasing position relative to the alarm tripping member, in accordance with a preselected time indicated on the dial by said hand.

6. In an annunciator of the class described, a dial having a set of predetermining elements selectively adjustable to occupy active positions; an hour arbor having an hour wheel and a hand coactable with said dial; studs projecting from said hour wheel; a latching element mounted to shift axially on'said arbor to occupy latching and releasing positions with respect to an alarm trip ping member; said studs co-acting with said arbor and fixed to one of said studs; means coacting with said bracket to urge the latching element to latching position; and means co-acting with said predetermining elements when in active position, to shift the latching element to releasing position in accordance with a preselected time indicated on the dial by the hand.

'7. In an annunciator of the class described, a dial having a set of predetermining elements selectively adjustable to occupy active positions; an hour arbor having an hour wheel and a hand co-actable with said dial; studs projecting from said hour wheel; a latching element mounted to shift axially on said arbor to occupy latching and releasing positions with respect to an alarm tripping member; said studs co-acting with said latching element to effect rotation of the latter with the hour wheel; a bracket receiving said arbor and fixed to one of said studs; means coscting with said bracket to urge the latching element to latching position; a power transferring member rockably mounted on said arbor for rotation therewith, and having means co-actable with said predetermining elements, when adjusted to active position, to rock the power transferring member to one extreme position; and means co-acting with the power transferring member and with the latching element, to shift the latter to its releasing position in accordance with a preselected time indicated on the dial by the hand.

8. In an annunciator of the class described, a

dial having a set of predetermining elements selectively adjustable to occupy active positions; an hour arbor having an hour wheel and a hand coactable with said dial; studs projecting from said hour wheel; a latching element mounted to shift axially on said arbor to occupy latching and releasing positions with respect to an alarm tripping member; said studs co-acting with said latching element to effect rotation of the latter with the hour wheel; a bracket receiving said arbor and fixed to one of said studs; means coacting with said bracket to urge the latching element to latching position; a power transferring member rockably mounted on said arbor for rotation therewith, and having means co-acting with said predetermining elements when adjusted to active position, to rock the power transferring member to one extreme position; a shifting member operatively connected to the power transferring member; and means co-acting with the shifting member, and including a clutch collar connected to the latching element to shift the latter to releasing position in accordance with a preselected time indicated on the dial by the hand.

9. In an annunciator of the class described, a dial having a set of predetermining elements selectively adjustable to occupy active positions; an hour arbor having an hour wheel and a hand co-actable with said dial; studs projecting from said hour wheel; a latching element mounted to shift axially on said arbor to occupy latching and releasing positions with respect to an alarm tripping member; said studs co-acting with said latching element to effect rotation of the latter with the hour wheel; a bracket receiving said arbor and fixed to one of said studs; means coacting with said bracket to urge the latching element to latching position; a power transferring member rockably mounted on said arbor for rotation therewith, and having means co-acting with said predetermining elements when adjusted to active position, to rock the power transferring member to one extreme position; a shifting member operatively connected to the power transferring member; a clutch collar carried by the latching member, with which the shifting member coacts; and a fulcrum-forming member rotatable with said arbor and with which the shifting member fulcrums in response to the aforesaid rocking movement imparted to the power transferring member, to move the latching member to releasing position.

10. In an annunciator of the class described, a dial having a set of predetermining elements selectively adjustable to occupy active positions; an hour arbor having an hour wheel and a hand co-actable with said dial; studs projecting from said hour wheel; a latching element mounted to shift axially on said arbor to occupy latching and releasing positions with respect to an alarm tripping member; said studs co-acting with said latching element to effect rotation of the latter with the hour wheel; a bracket receiving said arbor and fixed to one of said studs; means coacting with said bracket to urge the latching element to latching position; a power transferring member rockably mounted on said arbor for rotation therewith and having means co-actable with said predetermining elements, when adjusted to active position, to rock the power transferring member to one extreme position; a fulcrum-forming member rockably mounted on said studs and rotatable thereby with the arbor; a clutch collar carried by the latching element; a shifting yoke operatively associated with said collar and straddling the fulcrum-forming member in engagement therewith to provide a floating fulcrum; and means operatively connecting said yoke to the power transferring member for co-action with the fulcrum-forming member and with said collar, in shifting the latching element to releasing position when rocking movement is imparted to the power transferring member as aforestated.

l1. In an annunciator of the class described, a dial having a set of predetermining elements selectively adjustable to occupy active positions; a tubular hour arbor having a hand co-acting with the dial; a latching element movably mounted on the hour arbor and adapted for co-action with an alarm tripping member; means co-acting with the predetermining elements when in active position, and with the latching element, to move the latter to a releasing position with respect to the alarm tripping member in accordance with a preselected time indicated on the dial by the hand; a center wheel arbor; means mounting said center wheel arbor beyond one end of the hour wheel arbor and in co-axiai relationship to the latter; a minute hand shaft secured to said center wheel arbor and extending freely through the hour arbor; and means journaling said shaft in the hour arbor only at a location remote from the connection of said shaft to the center wheel arbor so that should misalignment between the arbors occur, binding of said shaft in the hour arbor will be prevented.

12. In an annunciator of the class described a dial having a set of predetermining elements s electively adjustable to occupy active position; an hour arbor having a hand co-acting with the dial; a latching element movably mounted on the hour arbor and adapted for co-action with an alarm tripping member; means co-acting with the predetermining element-s when in active position and with the latching element, to move the lat: ter to a releasing position with respect to the alarm tripping member in accordance with a preselected time indicated on the dial by the hand a center wheel arbor having a minute hand shaft extending through the hour arbor; means mounting the center wheel arbor beyond one end of the hour arbor and in co-axial relationship to the hour arbor; and means co-acting with said portion of the hour arbor through which said shaft extends, to prevent binding of the shaft in the hour arbor should misalignment occur between the arbors.

13. In an annunciator of the class described, a dial having a set of predetermining elements selectively adjustable to occupy active positions; tubular hour arbor having a hand co-acting with the dial; a latching element movably mounted on the hour arbor and adapted for co-action with an alarm tripping member; means co-acting with the predetermining elements when in active position, and with the latching element, to move the latter to a releasing position with respect to the alarm tripping member in accordance with a preselected time indicated on the dial by the hand; a center wheel arbor having a minute hand shaft rigidly secured at one end in the center wheel arbor and extending freely through the having a slot; 8. predetermining element grooved at opposite sides to provide a transverse web slidable in the slot; the dial having a channel extending lengthwise of the slot at one side thereof; and a wire spring in said channel, anchored against axial displacement therefrom and bearing against a grooved portion of said element to yieldingly maintain the element in positions of adjustment in the slot.

PETER HENRIK HENRIKSON. 

